Category: News

The software behind the release of The Beatles new single ‘Now and Then’ has opened up new possibilities for the Thomas Fraser archive. We are currently re-examining and evaluating tracks deemed unusable in the past. Thomas’s recordings were all done on one track – i.e. vocal and guitar were recorded in one take on one microphone. The software’s main advantage to us is its ability to isolate the vocal and it split it out as a separate track from the backing and/or any other unwanted noise. Once the newly separated multi tracks are done, they can be restored and improved individually. It will be a long process but at the end of it, we hope that we can bring some new Thomas Fraser material out again at some point in the not too distant future.

Nice article in Scotland’s Sunday National today, marking the 41st anniversary of Thomas Fraser’s death. Read here:

The National

 

There is now just under one week to go until the 2018 Thomas Fraser Festival! JP Harris and the Tough Choices are making their way across the Atlantic along with Nashville’s Steve Thomas and Miss Tess. Meanwhile a host of local acts are busy making preparations in Shetland. The last Festival to be held in Burra was 2015. The next one? Who knows…? One thing for sure, this coming weekend is a unique opportunity to see an amazing collection of musicians performing in an intimate environment. Grab the chance while you can, some tickets are still available…

J P Harris, who will be appearing at the 2018 Thomas Fraser Festival, is interviewed in the latest issue of UK magazine ‘Country Music People‘.

The 2018 Thomas Fraser Festival is the most ambitious held to date with three top US acts flying across to perform on stage in Hamnavoe. Locally, there is also much to look forward to including a rare performance from Laeverick and likewise a welcome return for Alison Kay & Liza. Youth group the ‘Forget Me Notes’ will make a special appearance on Thursday evening while Orkney outfit The Driftwood Cowboys will make a welcome return. The Shetland News article here fills in more details: Shetland News Thomas Fraser feature

Thursday 8 November: May, Mackie & Rhonda, The Forget Me Notes, Alison Kay & Liza, Arthur Pottinger, Robbie Cumming and Steve Thomas.

Friday 9 November: May, Mackie & Rhonda, Arthur Pottinger, The Driftwood Cowboys, Robbie Cumming, Laeverick, Steve Thomas, Miss Tess and J P Harris & The Tough Choices.

Saturday 10th November: May, Mackie & Rhonda, Allan Tulloch, The Driftwood Cowboys, Laeverick, Robbie Cumming, Kansa, Steve Thomas, Miss Tess and J P Harris & The Tough Choices.

Sunday 11th November – there will be a special service in the Bridge End Kirk to bring the weekend to a close. Artists appearing at this event will be announced over the Festival Weekend.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 28th September in Burra and Lerwick. Tickets for Thursday are 15GBP and tickets for Friday and Saturday are 22GBP each.

 The 2018 Thomas Fraser Festival will be held from Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 November. Tickets will go on sale on Friday 28 September at The Peerie Shop in Lerwick and the Hamnavoe Shop in Burra, Prices from £15 to £22.

April 21st saw the launch of Thomas Fraser’s ‘Long Gone Lonesome Blues’ album on vinyl. The limited edition release has been fully remastered using the very latest techniques and features new sleeve notes from writer Duncan McLean and Grandson Karl Simpson. The disc is 180g vinyl. Available from all good record shops and of course at the launch site – Grooves in Kirkwall – the most northerly (and probably best full stop) store in the UK.